Finding the best gluten free eats in New Westminster

Re-up BBQ: Gluten Free Southern Barbecue on the Banks of the Fraser

When you step into the River Market on the Quay in New Westminster, the first thing you’ll likely notice is the delectable aroma of smoked meat in the air. That delicious scent comes from Re-up BBQ, on the “Hungry Floor.” Serving up smoky Southern barbecue, Re-up is a great place to grab some comfort food while exploring the Quay. The best part? Most of their fare is gluten free!

Gluten Free Options at Re-up:

The ribs: Who can resist a rack of perfectly smoked “stick to your ribs” ribs? Huge, meaty, and flavourful, the ribs at Re-up are sure to satisfy any barbecue lover! Enjoy a half-rack for a filling meal, or a whole rack for an epic barbecue feast.

The pulled pork: Pulled pork is always a favourite with me, and fortunately, it’s gluten free. Choose 1/3 lb, 1/2 lb, or a full pound of deliciousness!

The brisket: Cooked low and slow, flavourful and satisfying, the brisket also comes in quantities of 1/3 lb, 1/2 lb, or 1 lb.

The chili: The black bean and corn chili is hearty and gluten free. Try it topped with a fried egg, or add smoked bacon.

The potato salad: The potato salad is rich and creamy, and especially wonderful when paired with the ribs.

The coleslaw: Tangy, refreshing, and crunchy, the coleslaw is 100% gluten free!

The chili cheese fries: Although the fries are gluten free, they’re fried in the same deep fryer as gluten-containing ingredients. This means that cross contamination is possible, and might affect people with moderate to severe Celiac disease.

The pit beans: A southern barbecue classic, the pit beans make a great gluten free addition to any meal.

The drinks: The sweet tea at Re-up is exactly what sweet tea should be, and is made in house! The ginger beer packs a bite, and is extremely refreshing. They also offer homemade cola and lemon soda to slake your thirst.

Half-rack of ribs and potato salad

What to Watch Out For:

The biscuits: Although buttermilk biscuits are another Southern classic, they’re not gluten free.

The gravy: The gravy is rich and thick, but unfortunately, not gluten free.

The buns: The buns used to make Re-up’s sandwiches are not gluten free. However, you can still enjoy the sandwich fillings as part of a barbecue platter!

The chicken batter: The batter on the fried chicken is made with flour, so it’s not gluten free. If you’re craving chicken though, they can do the chicken sans batter.

The Service:

I had my first visit to Re-up recently, and I was absolutely impressed by their service. The staff member asked if I was Celiac, so he could explain that the fryer was used for gluten-containing ingredients. He then went through the menu, explaining what was not gluten free, and helped me choose the best options for my barbecue platter. He did it all with a smile, and seemed genuinely passionate about the quality of the gluten free options they had. Good service can make or break a restaurant experience, especially for gluten free diners, and the service at Re-up made me excited to go back.

Southern sweet tea and ginger beer

The Restaurant:

Re-up serves its delectable barbecue in the food court of the River Market. You can get your meal to go and enjoy it on the Quay, or grab a seat in the bustling “Hungry Floor” and enjoy the sights and sounds of the River Market. Re-up knows that you can’t rush a good thing, so the food takes about 15 minutes to prepare. To make sure you’re not stuck in a hungry crowd waiting for your food, they give you a buzzer that beeps and flashes when your meal is ready. So, you’re free to either sit and sip your sweet tea, or explore the market.

Currently, Re-up is running on summer hours, which means that it’s open from 10 AM to 7 PM every day of the week. It’s an especially popular place on sunny weekends, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for a bit of a line. If you don’t want to wait, you can call ahead to place your take-out order.

The Verdict:

Re-up brings authentic, slow-cooked barbecue to New West. It’s a great place to get top notch gluten free comfort food, and a perfect addition to sunny days on the Quay. Make sure to stock up on napkins for your barbecued feast!

Happy finger licking!

If this is your business and your gluten free options have changed, please let me know! My goal is to provide the most up to date information on New Westminster’s gluten free choices.